Celebrate 20 Years of Paso Robles Wine Country’s Heritage Winegrape

Tickets On-Sale Now for the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival March 16 – 18, 2012

Tickets are on sale now for the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 16 – 18, 2012. The best of Paso Robles Wine Country converge for one weekend to celebrate the area’s heritage winegrape during the popular Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two ticket levels are available for purchase at www.pasowine.com; ZIP (Entrance at 6 p.m.) and Zin Fan Del (Entrance at 7 p.m.).

“Zinfandel has been a key influence on the development and growth of the Paso Robles wine industry,” said Alex Villicana, board chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “Celebrating 20 years of Zin Fest reflects the honor and significance of Zinfandel as the heritage winegrape of Paso Robles.”

A collection of Zin-sational activities return to Zinfandel Festival this year including the Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction, featuring Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, Dessert Wine Bar, and Plaza Lounge. The Wine Country Auction within the Zin Tasting offers a variety of unique lifestyle and wine auction lots including wine tasting retreats, dinners with Paso Robles producers, VIP tours, seminars and special large format bottles signed by the winemakers. Funds raised through this auction will be gifted back into the local community through organizations that support healthcare, education and greater community services.

The Wine Country Auction is only one of the many components featured during the Saturday Zin Tasting. Nearly 60 Zinfandel producers and 20 local restaurants highlight their culinary talents and premium Zinfandel wines at the marquee event held at the Paso Robles Event Center. The decadent Dessert Wine Bar features Paso Robles dessert style wines and chocolate. The Plaza Lounge provides attendees the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cigars complementing an evening that honors the history of Paso Robles Wine Country. Stay tuned on Twitter, Facebook and foursquare to learn more about 2012 Zinfandel Festival surprises.

•    ZIP (Zinfully Important Person) Entrance – $85 – Saturday – 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Zip in early to the Zin Tasting and get a sneak peek of Wine Country Auction items and experience other special surprises.

•    Zin Fan Del Entrance – $60 – Saturday – 7- 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a great assortment of Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, and bring home a piece of Paso from the Wine Country Auction.

•    Sneak Peek Pass – $10 Discounts on ZIP and Zin Fan Del Ticket levels until January 31, 2012

Tickets for the 20th Annual Zinfandel Festival are available for purchase online at www.pasowine.com. All Zinfandel Festival tasting ticket packages include unlimited wine tasting and a commemorative glass made by Riedel. A limited amount of ZIP and Zin Fan Del tickets will be available at the door, provided they are not sold out. Tickets are limited and advance purchase is highly recommended. Must be 21 and older; photo identification verifying age will be required at time of entry.

In addition to the Zin Tasting and Wine Country Auction, more than 150 area wineries host special activities and events throughout the weekend including winemaker dinners, food pairings, live music, vineyard tours and more to complete your Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival Weekend experience. Many of these wineries offer ZIN FAN specials to ticketholders of the Zin Tasting & Wine Country. For more information about the 20th Annual Zinfandel Festival, local hotel accommodations and restaurants, visit www.pasowine.com.

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between San

Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country is California’s fastest growing wine region.

It encompasses more than 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries.

For more information, visit www.pasowine.com